Carrie Kirk earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, but The University of Tulsa prepared her for much more than her degree might have implied.
“My degree provided a foundation for critical thinking and methodical problem solving that has been essential in my business endeavors,” Kirk says. “Learning project management, teamwork skills, and of course, solid engineering fundamentals served me well throughout my career.”
After graduation, Kirk began her career in sales engineering positions with Nalco Chemical and Carrier Corporation. Kirk left her corporate career in 1995 to take a controlling interest in a failing industrial refrigerant recycling company.
Under her leadership as CEO, Georgia-based CFC Recovery Services became the largest refrigerant recycler in the Southeast. In 1997, she sold her interests in the company to start TowerCom, one of the first independent tower companies in the wireless telecommunications industry.
By 1999, TowerCom was the largest tower developer and owner in the Southeast. During her career in the wireless industry, Kirk founded and served as President of two privately held tower companies and an infrastructure development company providing deployment services for wireless carriers. After the sale of her three telecom startups for nearly $250 million, she joined Canstruction in 2009 as Executive Director, turning her focus to social entrepreneurship.
A non-profit organization, Canstruction sponsored architectural design competitions with structures built entirely out of cans of food, which were then donated to local food banks.
It was “an admirable, high-visibility endeavor,” as Kirk described it, but Canstruction was not cash-flow positive until her entrepreneurial experience helped bring financial stability. Kirk secured corporate sponsorships and won foundation grants while expanding Canstruction around the world, reaching nearly 10,000 volunteers with events in 30 countries and donating 3 million pounds of food a year to food banks. In 2016, Kirk received recognition as a “Top 25 Newsmaker” by Engineering News-Record for her achievements at Canstruction.
Kirk formed Peachtree Capital, a real estate investment, lending and management company, in 2010. The firm provided asset backed loans to distressed banks and purchased prime real estate in foreclosure, returning 155% capital to investors within just five years.
She now serves as President of Atlanta-based Midtown Consulting, which she founded to provide private equity and business consulting services to start-ups, operating companies, and non-profit organizations.
“Receiving my education from such an exceptional engineering college was central to my success,” Kirk says. “I’ve found with start-ups, small companies and non-profits, it’s essential to understand the basics in many areas of business such as finance, marketing and legal requirements.”
She was inducted into the UTulsa College of Engineering and Computer Science Hall of Fame in 2009 for outstanding leadership and significant advancement in engineering, becoming the first Native American, female graduate to receive the honor.
In March 2023, Kirk donated a laser printer to the Chemical Engineering Department in honor of Wayne Rumley, a UTulsa graduate who founded R&R Engineering and became Kirk’s mentor during her college years.
Kirk joined the Dean’s Advisory Board for the College of Engineering and Computer Science in 2024.
“Working for a start-up or small business can be exciting, but it’s often hard to get structured training,” Kirk says. “I started my career working for large, publicly traded industrial companies that provided extensive training and found it very useful.”
Her advice to current UTulsa students would include securing an internship and attending industry conventions and conferences whenever possible.
“It’s a great way to meet companies and make contacts which could lead to an internship,” she says. “These events are also an ideal way to see the latest products and services in your industry.”